So You Want To Be A Theatre Director?

A clear, practical and inspiring step‑by‑step guide to directing plays — from one of Britain’s most experienced and respected theatre directors.

Stephen Unwin distils decades of professional experience into an accessible, hands‑on manual for aspiring and emerging directors.

About the Ebook

So You Want To Be A Theatre Director? is a practical, generous and deeply insightful guide to the craft of directing. Drawing on his extensive career working with hundreds of actors across countless productions and venues, Stephen Unwin offers a clear roadmap for anyone looking to develop their directing skills.

Unwin begins at the very start of the process and takes readers step by step through the director’s journey — from choosing the play and assembling the team, to rehearsals, staging, and opening night. His approach is rooted in professional theatre, but the book is equally valuable for directors working in amateur dramatics, schools, universities and community settings.

Inside, you’ll explore:

• Choosing the play — finding material that excites and challenges you
• Casting — selecting the right actors and building an ensemble
• Design — collaborating with designers to shape the world of the play
• Rehearsals — including establishing facts, improvisation, language, character, blocking and working with specialists
• Running the play — sustaining performances and supporting the company
• Putting it on stage — technical rehearsals, previews and refining the production
• Opening night — navigating the final steps of the process

Filled with wise insights, practical advice and Unwin’s infectious enthusiasm for the craft, this book is an essential companion for anyone serious about directing.

Critical Praise

"So You Want to be a Theatre Director does exactly what it says on the cover… The writing is clear and direct; the chapters are divided into conveniently headed sections… His book is filled with wise insights. Any budding director who reads it will learn much about the pitfalls and challenges he or she is likely to face but will also, I'm sure, catch some of Unwin's enthusiasm for what he describes as being, at times, 'the best job you can imagine'."
— Around the Globe

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• A complete, step‑by‑step guide to the director’s craft.
• Practical tools and techniques you can apply immediately.
• Clear, accessible writing from a leading British theatre director.
• Perfect for aspiring and emerging directors in any context.
• A Nick Hern Books essential for anyone serious about directing.

About the Author

Stephen Unwin is one of the UK’s most respected theatre directors, with a career spanning decades across major theatres, touring companies and educational institutions. He has directed a vast range of plays and worked with hundreds of actors, bringing deep insight, clarity and passion to the craft of directing.

Publication Details

Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Publication Date: 16 May 2013

Print Length: 256 pages

ISBN (Ebook): 9781780010540

Format: Ebook

Language: English

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